5. Optics and Waves

Diffraction — Quiz

Test your understanding of diffraction with 5 practice questions.

Practice Questions

Question 1

In a single-slit diffraction pattern, if the slit width is $a$ and the wavelength of light is $\lambda$, what is the angular position of the $m$-th order minimum?

Question 2

A diffraction grating has $N$ lines per unit length. If monochromatic light of wavelength $\lambda$ is incident normally on the grating, what is the maximum possible order of diffraction ($m_{max}$) that can be observed?

Question 3

Two stars are observed through a telescope with a circular aperture of diameter $D$. If the angular separation between the stars is $\Delta \theta$, and the wavelength of light is $\lambda$, what is the condition for these two stars to be just resolvable according to the Rayleigh criterion?

Question 4

A diffraction grating has $5000$ lines/cm. If monochromatic light of wavelength $600$ nm is incident normally on the grating, what is the angular position of the first-order maximum?

Question 5

In a single-slit diffraction pattern, if the slit width is halved while the wavelength of light remains constant, how does the angular width of the central maximum change?